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29 Horrendous Things Committed By Close Friends That Broke People’s Trust Forever
Article created by: Indrė Lukošiūtė
Breaking up with a romantic partner hurts, but friendship breakups? Some say they cut even deeper. There's a unique kind of pain in losing someone who once knew all your secrets, your habits, your heart.
To better understand why these emotional rifts happen, we’ve compiled real stories from people who had to walk away from their best friends. These confessions are raw, honest, and sometimes downright shocking, ranging from betrayal and jealousy to simply growing apart. If you've ever ended a friendship, this might just offer the comfort or closure you've been searching for.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I had a very good friend for many years, he was a neighbor of mine, and we were in the same age bracket and shared many interests in hiking, travel, live music, and really good food. We hiked together through Switzerland and climbed one of the Alps together. He started dating someone and began spending more time at home, becoming more of a ‘homebody’, so gradually we started seeing less of each other as friends. I got a text message from him apologizing for being out of touch, and asking if I knew anyone with connections to Ricky Martin, so that he could get a couple tickets to a sold out concert. Turns out, I did have someone in Martin’s circle who owed me a favor. So I called it. Face value of the tickets was only about $500 each, so not a lot of money. But asking for the tickets did burn my favor. I give my buddy the tickets and thought nothing about it. I text him the Monday after the show and ask if he had a good time. He replied, “nah we didn’t feel like going. we just stayed inside and watched tv”.
I felt completely betrayed. Used. Unappreciated. I cut off all contact with my friend, and maybe this was an overreaction, but I was just so angry.
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#2
She slept with my live-in BF of five years. Worse that that she deliberately set me up. We would make a date to go out together while my BF was at work (He was a Recording Engineer, and often worked in the evening). She would start chatting up a guy at the bar, and the suddenly leave, making up some kind of excuse, and leaving me to talk to him.
What I did not know was that she would go to the Studio, where BF was working, and tell him she had “just seen me” at the Pub chatting up a guy. If he didn’t believe her she would call the bar, and have the bartender confirm her story.
It worked, she convinced him that I was running around and cheating on him. We broke up, and she started dating him, eventually they married. It lasted about 5 years, they had one child, and then they broke up!
I never talked to her again after I found out the whole story from her room mates later!
#3
I designed and built custom web sites for several years, and a friend tried to steal my business.
She’d been helping me with sales leads. I guess she thought she could make a lot of money if she went around me. She didn’t have any of the skills necessary to do this kind of work, but she had a student lined up that she thought could do it for her. He helped her copy my web site to another account, and she started selling my designs as her own.
I found out what she was up to. She was the one who actually ended the friendship. I hoped we could fix it at first, because I was so shocked by her actions, but quickly realized it was impossible.
When someone betrays you, you’re a fool to sign up for more. It was awful.
#4
I looked after him after his wife had an affair and he asked me to come round and I lent an ear and did his Christmas shopping for him and was there for him. He got back with his wife and she had it in for me ever since; he couldn’t seem to get that.
When my narcissistic ex left and immediately moved in with his girlfriend, my ‘friend’ and his wife decided that they were not going to take sides; though they knew he was behaving appallingly to me.
Anyhow the final straw - having told him how much his behaviour was hurting me, my friend posted all over Facebook congratulations to my ex and partner on their engagement; my ex hadn’t even told my sons and didn’t until a week further along.
His continual insensitivity, lack of consideration and the unnecessary ‘showing off’ on Facebook proved that he was never truly my friend.
Another long relationship which proved to be completely fake.
#5
My best friend of over 15 years. She had been in many train wreck relationships in the time I knew her. Finally she met Matt. This guy seemed wonderful made her very happy. They eventually got engaged. I started seeing her behavior change. She would say some really terrible things about other people of different races and religion. She was never like that before and she knows I don’t tolerate that at all. I asked her to keep it to herself. She started making comments about my own life too. I’m a vegan she all of a sudden thought that was stupid and “ignorant”. She would make comments about my dogs who may not be the best behaved but they were all rescued from varying bad situations and deserve to have a great life. Her dog she purchased from a breeder and would go on and on about how people who rescue are stupid because the dogs are ruined. She knows how I feel about rescue and fostering and how against breeders I am but would carry on anyway. Lots of other things too I can’t think of at the moment. Long story short this guy was changing her views and I didn’t like who she was becoming. The breaking point was an argument over her saying she isn’t wearing a mask because it doesn’t affect her and she won’t be inconvenienced protecting people she will never know. I can’t be friends with someone so selfish about so many things.
#6
I had a wonderful friend with whom I worked. We had great times and I considered her a friend for life
When I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, she signed cards and flowers from groups of people but never did anything personal. I didn’t realize this at the time because I was trying to deal with a brain surgery and all that comes with it.
As I’m going to appointments, dealing with issues and starting proton radiation, I’m hearing from her less and less. I remember asking her if she was ok, worried something was wrong. It was then that she said that my diagnosis was a lot to handle, that she just couldn’t handle it. I wasn’t really sure what she meant at the time but that’s when all communication dropped off. Other friends were great, stopping by, coming to stay with me but she was silent.
It’s been 10 years since then and I’ve had six surpgeries, all without any support from her. She has stayed in touch with mutual friends but not me. It would be an understatement to say I’m hurt. I don’t know what would cause a friend to behave like that.
It’s been several years now and I rarely think of her, except when I see questions like this.
#7
I moved to Texas in 1996, when my husband’s company was sold and moved us. He had to go back to our home state and finish closing down operations. This woman was in the exact same situation. We had bonded over the 3 month span that our husbands were away, and we were establishing our new homes.
We shared problems, including the ones she had with her elderly parents who were “back home.” Life went on this way for 17 years. Then my husband had a near fatal motorcycle wreck. One day I called her, nearly in tears. He had taken a turn for the worse, and I was called to authorize an emergency procedure. When she answered, I told her what had happened. Before I had finished telling her, she responded, “I’m busy now, call back tomorrow if you still want to talk.” then hung up on me.
That was the last time we spoke to one another. Two years later, I got a card indicating that she would like to resume meeting with me once a month or so. I never bothered to respond. We no longer had anything in common.
By the way, my husband did recover, after over a month in the ICU, and several months of therapy. He returned to his work as a electrical engineer, and retired two years after returning to work after the accident.
#8
Someone who was a new acquaintance and who I thought could become a friend stole from someone in a group of My friends — and had the audacity to smile and laugh about it to Me.
Before the smile could finish spreading across her face, I told her that she was contemptible and that under NO circumstances was she to ever communicate with Me again. Whatever it was that made her think that she could find a comrade in heinousness with ME was cause enough for Me never to want to bother with her ever again. I told her that she had 24 hours to return what she’d stolen or that I would tell everyone what she did.
I intensely dislike thieves, liars, and cheats and believe that they should be treated with corporal punished.
Of course, creeps always choose the next level of creepiness and she attempted to contact everyone in the group to tell them that I had stolen the item and threatened that if she told them, that I would say she’d done it. This backfired because My integrity precedes Me and they all knew better.
Let’s just say that things did not fare well for her. Best part is that I did not have to do anything further.
#9
I was friends with a woman for 12 years. We were close enough that she said she wanted to make me the Executor of her estate. Two to three months before she went on a trip, and planned on visiting me (for a two week visit), she decided to adopt a 40 pound dog. When she asked if we were still good with her visit, I told her no. We have two cats, and they would be very uncomfortable with a dog coming into their territory. She abruptly hung up and me and a few weeks later sent me an email on exactly the date of a milestone birthday for me, and it was truly the most vile, hateful letter I have ever read. All because I said no to her. This has been nearly 4 years and looking back on it, I realize, that she really had some deep seated emotional problems.
#10
I used to be really close with someone, but things changed when they started talking behind my back. I found out they were sharing personal stuff I had confided in them. After confronting them, instead of apologizing, they brushed it off like it was no big deal. That’s when I realized our friendship wasn't what I thought it was, and I had to step away.
#11
Any unexpected/unsolicited & negative remark about anyone’s body, appearance or behavior is a red flag. Gossip and undue or unkind criticism about others hints at the kind of person I don’t want around me.
I had a hard time understanding a lot of this isn’t calling out bad behavior. It isn’t being funny or clever. It’s purposefully using false statements to influence how I think about a person. It’s very common. It’s so gross how people will make stuff up about others. Do. Not. Want.
I’ve noticed people will often try to engage me in putting someone else down. I used to brush it off, thinking most were going to do it. I didn’t grasp the depth of cold-heartedness this entailed until I was middle-aged. Now I’ll walk away. There’s no room for those people anymore.
#12
I have had a “friend” steal $150 from me, while we were hanging out at my house. She than proceeded to blame my brother for it, after I found out it was her who took the money I ended the friendship. She is still trying to be my “friend”, but stealing and doing some other things that I don’t wish to explain, is not a good way to try and restart a friendship with someone. We are currently ‘Friendly Acquaintances’ and I have no wish to start the full friendship back up.
#13
I was friends with a man and a woman for over 10-years. We were very close to begin with and shared most of our lives together. We used to do shopping, going out and going on holiday regularly. Everything started to change when we went on holiday and the lady refused to compromise on doing anything that I wanted to do. Where we went, what we had to eat, what time we go out with dictated all by her. Everything was about her. I reminded them that it was my holiday too but he just went along with what she wanted and she got her way. They spent the rest of the night arguing and I went to bed and got the train home the next morning by myself.
Whenever she was down on her luck i would be there to help her out. Lending her money if she needed it. I was born with a heart condition and had two open heart surgeries. When my health took a turn for the worst that's when when things went really wrong in the friendship. I had to have ambulances out and spend more time in hospital because of fast heart rythms. I would often be discharged later that day day and she would say say that I was exaggerating my symptoms, I was no different to an alcoholic wasting time at the hospital. She even said that she needed proof from the doctors like letters and that if I couldn't provide them then she would disbelieve me but even if I provided them she wouldn't believe it anyway. She also said she would not be my friend if it wasn't for him. I ended the friendship with her completely at that point. However he began to send me messages on her behalf saying that she did not understand what she had done .
#14
Physically hurt me, and have some of her friends threaten to call police on me after I stood up for myself.
#15
I had a friend that instead of supporting my relationship wormed his way into her life as a roommate then proceeded to convince her back to the lifestyle that I had so difficulty talked her out of you know who you are you p.o.s.
#16
She was a friend/my dream girl. She and I met when we were in a theater company together. She and I were two of the highest ranked individuals there.
This past December I went out to dinner with our boss. Our boss said that gay people shouldn’t be allowed to get married or adopt kids. I wanted to try and write a gay couple into a play we were writing. Our boss said no and also threatened to fire me.
I have another friend who I have had for 10 years who is gay. I felt like this was a personal affront.
I quit my job, BUT my crush DEFENDED our boss. Because of that I had no option but to cut ties.
#17
I think it was that they saw me.
We were best friends who met over games. Played every day for hours, often spent the night chatting. We didn't know each other in person.
One day I ended up being near their home and dropped off a birthday present I got them. They almost immediately became cold and distant.
I basically started having a breakdown over losing my best friend and drove a few nails into the coffin. They ended our final conversation with a voice message that said "Oh, and by the way, you're really fugly".
#18
Not much of an answer but betrayed my faith and trust in him. Although there is a big difference in our ages we had things in common and seemed, at least on my part, to be good friends. But I am realizing he was just playing a role for his benefit. How a 24 year old can bring a 72 year old widow to tears is unforgivable. This just happened recently and I can’t at this time say more. Too upsetting.
#19
He conspired to evict me from our friends group so that he and my then girlfriend could be together without me in the picture.
Not the greatest part of my life, ngl.
#20
He married one of the worst persons I'd ever met. I still tried at the beginning, but now she forbids him to see me. She forbids him to see most of the people who mattered for him before the wedding, including is family. Sad.
#21
After knowing him for 13 years, he went and got an absolutely insane, broom flying, full-of-baggage girlfriend that drove us completely apart. She dumped him about 5 months later, but the damage is done and repairing isn't an easy task.
#22
It was my three closest friends in a single night.
It was the night of my birthday party, held at my new partner's luxurious (this will be important later) apartment, where I now lived. Among the 80 guests were my three closest friends: Bill, Julian and Sara, who had been my friends for 13, 18 and 12 years respectively. Bill arrived very irritated and declined to give a speech despite having agreed to prepare and deliver one. Julian was in a terrible mood and monosyllabic all evening and Sara walked around the party all night with a confused look on her face telling my guests that she couldn't believe that I could be living in such a nice place that was even nicer than hers! I realised that my 3 best friends had behaved so badly because they were jealous that I was living in such a beautiful apartment.
I had always been the least successful among my 3 best friends and that had never been a problem for me; I was genuinely glad for my friends’ good fortune. It seemed that the obverse was not true. After that night, I became more discerning about the people I let into my life. So though the experience was a very painful one, wiping out 3 long friendships in a single night, it was ultimately beneficial. Today I have friends who want the best for me, as it should be, and I rid myself of the frenemies
#24
He was not my best friend but a close one. I realized I was the only one initiating plans or even the only one to message him first on FB. He was a cool guy and I genuinely liked hanging with him. BUT one day eight years ago now, after we had hung out I was like "yeah now its your turn man" and I waited and waited and waited. NOTHING. I found out he found a girl and got married like a year and a half later. Of course I was not invited. SO I just deleted him from FB and everything, bye bye.
#25
My friendship was given an ultimatum. Long time ago now.
Do this or else statements. I walk away regardless.
I don’t think I need to elaborate further.
#26
I’ve had many friends come and go. So I’ll name one:
She stopped talking to me a couple of days, no idea why. When I asked her she said nothing.
then randomly she goes and tells my boyfriend at the time that I had been drinking. A secret I only shared with her as one day we met up and had some alcohol at the park, my boyfriend was abusive at the time and said I wasn’t allowed. She saw his reaction and laughed. Then called me pathetic, laughing some more.
Obviously more unfolded after that but the friendship ended that way. I have no idea why she did what she did
#27
She got so upset because she wasn’t my maid of honor in my wedding. I tried so hard to hang out and talk to her despite her being mean and not talking to me. I realized I was putting all the effort in and quit trying. She did end up coming to my wedding last year but I quit making the effort to try and fix things/ talk but I was the only one trying. Haven’t talked to her since. I’m still sad about it until this day.
#28
Borrow money or an item and not pay it back or return it.
Argue about politics or religion when they have opposing views from you
Lie to their friend and be caught in the lie
Say bad things about their friend behind their back
repeatedly stand them up when they promise to meet
ignore or mistreat their friend when they are in the presence of other friends
not invite their friend to an event that other friends are invited to
only call when they want something
take them for granted
not apologize when they are wrong
always expect them to pay for meals or gas
#29
Distance makes us distant.
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